Springbok team announced for Perth.

South African No 8 Duane Vermeulen will make his test debut in Saturday's Rugby Championship clash with Australia in Perth after being named in the Springbok side on Wednesday.

Under-fire coach Heyneke Meyer has brought in three new players and made two positional changes to the side that were held to a 16-16 draw in Argentina in their last outing.

In addition to the powerful Vermeulen, Meyer has named Ruan Pienaar at scrumhalf, while Juandre Kruger replaces the dropped Andries Bekker at lock.

Pacy back Francois Hougaard goes out to the wing to allow Pienaar to start at halfback, while Willem Alberts moves to flanker to make room for Vermeulen at the back of the scrum.

With Morne Steyn retaining the flyhalf spot and no specialist openside flanker in the starting line-up, there is no indication the Springboks will change their tactics of trying to outmuscle the opposition up front and kick for territory.

Meyer has given himself options on the bench, however, where 20-year-old livewire flyhalf Johan Goosen will be itching to get on to the pitch for his test debut.

Ball-poaching flanker Francois Louw was also named among the replacements having been called up from English club Bath for the tour of Australia and New Zealand.

The Springboks will be looking to end a run of four defeats against Australia, which includes the quarterfinal loss at last year's World Cup in New Zealand.

TEAM: 15-Zane Kirchner, 14-Bryan Habana, 13-Jean de Villiers, 12-Francois Steyn, 11-Francois Hougaard, 10-Morne Steyn, 9-Ruan Pienaar, 8-Duane Vermeulen, 7-Willem Alberts, 6-Marcell Coetzee, 5-Juandre Kruger, 4-Eben Etzebeth, 3-Jannie du Plessis, 2-Adriaan Strauss, 1-Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements: 16-Tiaan Liebenberg, 17-Pat Cilliers, 18-Flip van der Merwe, 19-Francois Louw, 20-Johan Goosen, 21

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Alberts - Vermeulen - Coetzee

That is some back row. It could potetially be great.

Taylorman wrote:Looks clearly to be a brains versus bulk match. Meyer just continually goes for muscle rather than guile, skill, vision or pace. Oz will look to out cheek, out strip, do anything to get these boys falling over themselves. Even a tight playing argie broke up the bok pack through the middle and oz are about as opposite to anything boks have faced this year in the very staunch england argie sides.

Can the boks handle the oz pace, variation, cheekiness.......swagger!

Taylorman wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Alberts - Vermeulen - Coetzee

That is some back row. It could potetially be great.

Yes but is...it...fast enough?
Somehow I doubt it.

Taylorman wrote:Well at this level how would we know? One has played 11 tests, one 5 and one none.

This is experimental at best, and is a forward trio 'based' on a gameplan thats specifically designed to dominate and intimidate...really?...go figure...

Dear Mr Badger

Please help. How do I convince my coach to give me some game time? We’ve played two big games this year and EVERYONE got a chance, except me. All the pundits reckon I’ve got loads of skills, especially on attack, but all I’m good for is keeping the bench warm while this Sideshow Bob look-a-like starts. I think it’s because I’m too exciting. We’re supposed to be bucks (that’s what our team is called) but all this coach cares about is buffalos. The other day I did a side step in training and he shouted: “Hey, what’s that blerrie flash stuff? Run straight, boet. Either smash the oke, or kick it. Actually, never mind. Just kick it.” I’m starting to get the feeling I’m like a fish out of water in this team. Like a big fish, maybe even a Shark. When will the sacrificial lamb be given a chance?

P.L, Durban via Mendoza

The Badger says…: Wow, that sounds tough. But you shouldn’t be surprised, son. I think the first mistake you made was pitching up at the first day of training in that black and white tracksuit. I know coaches are supposed to be colourblind, but have you considered wearing a blue shirt every now and then? Dreadlocks are back in fashion too, but only if you want to play full-back. If you want to play to play fly-half do not, I repeat, do NOT, attack the gain-line with ball in hand, that’ll just upset him even more. When in doubt, just hoof it as high as you can, then it becomes someone else’s problem. If all else fails, maybe try buying him a gift. I hear you can get Steve Hofmeyer CDs for a steal these days. Just remember, “‘n blou bul tjank nie by die pale nie.”